The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1978-10-03-SC-min • • Page 127 October 3, 1978 • A meeting of the Lexington School Committee was held on October 3, 1978, at 8:OQ p.m. , at the School Administration Conference Room. Those in attendance were: Blown, Swanson, Gaudet , Michelman, Hoffman and stu- dent representative Mende. Also present were Lawson, Spiris, Pierson, Monderer, Maclnnes and Barnes. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS VOTED: to accept the following schedule of payments. (Michelman, Hoffman, Unanimous) SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGETS Personal Services September 22, 1978 Professional Payroll #6 $417,618.50 Expenses September 29, 1978 Bill Schedules #38 1,618.29 September 29, 1978 #39 11,842.97 September 29, 1978 #40 4,661.82 September 29, 1978 #41 943.15 September 29, 1978 #42 276.49 SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Non-Lexington Funds METCO September 22, 1978 Professional Payroll 3,598.77 September 29, 1978 Bill Schedule #1 2,036.94 PL 94-142 Grant - Transition to Employment September 22, 1978 Professional Payroll September 29, 1978 Bill Schedule #2 55.72 Title I PL 89-313 - Special Education September 22, 1978 Professional Payroll 557.91 Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGES (PROFESSIONAL) VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (professional) . (Michelman, Gaudet, Unanimous). (See Attached) Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools it was PERSONNEL CHANGE: (CLASSIFIED) VOTED: to accept the following personnel changes (classified). (Gaudet, Michelman, Unanimous) (See Attached) Mr. Barnes presented a report of actual October 1, enrollments and OCTOBER 1, 1978 projections for 1979-80. He noted that the school population decreased ENROLLMENTS AND by the total of 307 students from last year. The actual October 1, en- PROJECTIONS rollments (K-12) indicated that there were 6,873 students in the Lex- ington Public Schools versus 7,180 on October 1, 1977. He then noted the projected enrollments for 10/1/78 based upon the 10/1/77 data indi- cated that the actual enrollment was 125 students more than projected. He reviewed the individual school enrollments and differences in pro- jected enrollments for the school year 1978-79. (Actual and projected enrollment comparisons sheet to be embodied in the official minutes) (See next page) Lcxinct Public Schools Divi elf Lexington, Massachusetts Reseirch & Planning October 1 , 1978 ACTUAL AND PROJECTED ENROLLMENT COMPARISONS 78-79 78-79 Proj . Proj . Actual (10/1/77) (11/1/77) K 1 2 3 4 5 6 78-79 Data Diff. Data Diff. ADAMS 27 34 42 38 38 38 57 274 276 - 2 279 BOWMAN 34 44 42 66 60 54 88 388 379 ± 9 385 ` + 3 BRIDGE 38 52 58 65 75 71 73 432 392 + 40 461 - 29 • ESTABROOK 37 38 58 67 83 83 74 440 285 +155 421 + 19 • • FISKE 34 46 40 68 58 71 99 _war/ 379 it- _ 373 + 442.' • FRANKLn; 21 37 52 48 50 50 7C 328 331 - 3 330 - 2 . • • HARRINGTON 33 34 34 48 48 43 51 291 285 + 6 278 + 13 BA STINGS 43 42 63 53 75 69 63 408 386 + 22 394 + 14 r., MIR-2i. OE .. 14 14 31 18 26 32 18 153 157 - 4 1 156 - 3 281 341 420 471 513 511 593 3077 + PARKER - 198 -its 3//_3- 3068 + "62 7 8 9 4 CLARKE 211 261 229 701 670 + 31 678 + 23 DIAMOND 228 214 226 668 672 - 4 652 + 16 MUZZEY 143 123 168 434 388 399 + 35 582 598 623 1803 1730 + 73 1729 + 74 10 11 12 Other LEXINGTON HIGH 639 650 647 4 1940 1950 - 10 1935 + 5 6748 +-7753 6741 + 132 GRAND IOTA 25 • t n'/4 '72 ` 7 )' /_ LL r//// 2 /YC.i 4%5 "J ct. - 3;2-9 7 •/ e.G / � i i 7 c. i • • f • 202 n fY'l / r 5.1 /) J1r • e:LGG.�=:a'.• • Y., 1978 • 1 0 S > .. 4 .. 2i; �,_.. L - Jif ', i $ 3'9 ro (0544 (NW Il Lexington Scho• ol Committee Meeting October 3, 1978 Page 24" New Business e i • ' PERSONNEL CHANGES - PROFESSIONAL CHANGE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RETIREMENT (From agenda of 4/4/78) To facilitate the transition involving Mr. Wilson 's return from Sabbatical leave and Ms. Quinn's return to the position of Housemaster. • YOUR SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE. b • • • Lexington School Committee Meeting October 3, 1978 Page 24A New Business • PERSONNEL CHANGES (Classified) New Personnel Effective Change of Hours Effective YOUR SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABOVE. *SUBJECT TO CHANGE UPON COMPLETION OF NEGOTIATIONS. • • Page 128 October 3, 1978 It was noted that the increase at the Hastings School (22 students) was mainly due to transfer students and students who had moved in during the summer. The inciebse of 46 students at Muzzey Junior High School was accounted •for by 29 transfer students from the other two junior high schools, plus less students going to Minuteman. The remainder were new students. In summary, he said that the decline in school: population con- tinued, and the projection for next year 79-80 indicated a loss of 495 students. Mr. Michelman asked if class sizes in the schools would be reported. Dr. Lawson said -that the next School Committee agenda would contain a study of class sizes. Mr. Barnes presented the 1977-78 Compliance Report required under CHAPTER 622 Chapter 622/Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. He TITLE IX COM- reviewed the extensive activities conducted in classroom staff in-ser- PLIANCE REPORT vice training program, and activities conducted to review staff imbal- ance in classes. He reviewed the responses of staff in the areas of Admissions to Public Schools, Admissions to Courses of Study, Guidance, Curricula, Estra Curricula Activities, Facilities, Scholarships, Monetary Awards, Employment, and School Plans and Activities. The final segment of the report was concerned with Equal Educational Opportunities for Handicapped Students. Members of the School Committee questioned segments of the report as they were presented. Mr. Barnes complimented the newly formed Chapter 622/Title IX Com- mittee which consisted of representatives from town organizations and staff. Mrs. Swanson said she felt that a possible violation of Chapter 622 occurred when the high school conducted a program called, Women at Work. Mr. Barnes noted that the state guidelines required that all Career Day Programs should include representatives of both sexes and minority groups. However, he felt in this particular case the occurrence may have been more a technical problem than an intentional violation. He said the guideline had been made clear to staff and doubted that it would re-occur. Mr. Hoffman responded that he saw nothing improper with the program or its emphasis in the way it was presented. Paul Mende, student representative, asked what happened to text books containing sex stereotype material. Geoff Pierson, Assistant Superin- tendent for Curriculum, said that all books could not be replaced due to the cost element, but teachers used the texts very carefully and cor- rected such instances of stereotype during lessons. Mr. Barnes also noted that many staff members had made their concerns known to publish- ing companies, and felt that this kind of direct communication would assist in future publications. Paul Mende, thanked Mr. Pierson and Mr. Banres for their remarks, and said that he felt more student views were needed in the area of curriculum, especially at the high school level: Mr. Michelman asked if class by class breakdowns of male and female populations were available. Mr. Barnes responded that they were contained in the supportive material, and were available. He noted the male/female populations of courses were being reviewed for imbalance and cause. Mrs. • Page 129 October 3, 1978 • Gaudet asked if on teacher initiated awareness development sex discrimi- nation diminished withosecondary students on the assumption that those students were more capable of recognition of stereotypes or more sophis- ticated. Dr. Pierson responded that the approach varied with the level. Mr. Hoffman said that he supported Mrs. Gaudet's point, and felt that the junior high school years were very critical for girls in that respect. Mrs. Swanson added that she felt that the schools were not completely responsible for the formation of student attitudes. She felt that the home was still the primary ingredient in the formation of student atti- tudes. Mr. Brown agreed with Mrs. Swanson, and added that efforts in the schools were also important. Dr. Lawson said the report demonstrated the commitment of Lexington and staff, and efforts to be in compliance. The School Committee thanked Dr. Lawson and Mr. Barnes for the re- port. Mr. Pierson presented a report on a pilot program in Semiotics at SEMIOTICS PILOT Clarke Junior High School. Semiotics is a study of signs and systems PROGRAM of communication. He noted that Richard Dyro and Peggy Zube, members of the Clarke staff had been trained in semiotics this past summer, and planned to pilot a program at Grade 8 and Grade 9. The program would be conducted in English classes. Dr. Pierson said he and Richard Shohet, English Department Head, had supported the introduction of the program. They felt that it could be a productive part of the secondary school English Curriculum. Dr. Pierson said the pilot classes would continue to follow the same composition program as other classes and students would complete the same amount of critical reading. He felt that semi- otics had the potential of adding a new dimension to language study in both reading and writing. He noted that there would be an evaluation of the program. He underscored the fact that the semiotics program must provide the same basic skill acquisition and opportunities as the con- ventional courses to continue as a program in the Lexington Public Schools. Mr. Brown noted that authors of the program had recoamiended imple- mentation in Grades 10-12 and questioned the recommendation for earlier years. Dr. Pierson said that even though the material had been intro- duced to tenth graders in other places, he had no reservations for use with competent eighth and ninth graders. In fact, the results of the evaluation of the tenth graders was very positive, and felt that the eighth grade level would be appropriate. Mr. Michelman askef if there would be pre and post testing. Dr. Pierson responded in the affirmative. Dr. Lawson noted that if the program did not prove beneficial, the students would be available in the same classes during the second semester, and could make up material that was needed. Peggy Zube and Richard Dyro reviewed a typical class in semiotics. Dr. Pierson concluded the pre- sentation and noted that the evaluation would occur after the first se- mester results. • It was the consensus of the committee to support the pilot study. Mr. Spiris presented the 1976-77, 1977-78, Resignation, Retirement RESIGNATION, and Leave of Absence Study to the School Committee. Mr. Spiris noted RETIREMENT AND that the turnover rate has remained fairly consistent in the last two LEAVE OF ABSENC years (13.67.) . Mr. Spiris then reviewed the various categories within • Page 130 • October 3, 1978 the study. Mr. Michelman asked if Mr. Spiris probed with individuals as to their motivation+for leaving Lexington under certain categories, such as, change in interest, other positions, leaving the Lexington area, etc. Mr. Spiris said fewer closing interviews were done than had been done in the past, this was due to the difficulties that have arisen with late resignations and people who leave during the summer. He expressed hope that this process could be reinstituted in the future. Dr. Lawson said Dr. Clune had received a message from Mr. Coscia HIGH SCHOOL that the home gaffe of October 7, needed to be played elsewhere since BLEACHERS the high school bleachers would not be ready. Dr. Lawson announced the game would be played at the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School. Dr. Lawson said a letter had been received by Dr. Clune from Dr. HIGH SCHOOL Robert J. O'Donnell, Director of Evaluations of the New England Assoc- ACCREDITATION iations of Schools and Colleges, Inc. The letter stated that Lexington High School was recommended to receive a ten year accredition rating as a result of the evaluation conducted last year by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Dr. Lawson said the rating of ten was highly unusual, and was the highest rating that a high school could receive. He and the committee expressed congratulations to the high school for its accomplishment. It was VOTED: to go into executive session at 9:27 p.m. to discuss a matter of collective bargaining and the character and reputation of an individual. (Yes, Michelman; Yes, Hoffman; Yes, Swanson; Yes, Gaudet; Yes, Brown) The Chairman announced that the School Committee would not be coming out of executive session. Respectfully submitted, Richard H. Barnes /k Recording Secretary